Abstract
After reading this book, I felt that I had traveled around the world and rediscovered the core values of the social work profession. More important, these core values were brought to life through the lens of women who practice with elegance and passion what the profession teaches. The stories of the 15 women reaffirmed that social work is indeed a profession that supports individuality while it draws upon the tried-and-true principles of the profession, such as “start where the client is.” These core principles and values appear in every profile. Each of the stories is captivating and offers individual and collective insights into the lives of a diverse group of social workers who are champions of social justice in its many forms. Whether they have advocated in the halls of the U.S. Congress, in an Afghan refugee village, or an American Indian reservation, the values and core competencies of social work have reigned supreme.
It is impossible to read this book and not find a bit of yourself or other social workers who have had similar life-changing experiences. Equally important is the encouragement that this book is certain to bring to prospective social workers, especially women, who are facing career choices with some uncertainty about the breadth and depth of the profession. In fact, I recommend it for introductory courses of social work and as a companion field education book. This recommendation is made because through storytelling and storytellers, the book makes clear the different pathways that the social work degree can lead to. Also, the authors make clear the personal choices, balance, sacrifices, and self-care that are inextricably linked to excellence, especially among women who often have the competing challenges of family and profession.
In reading the stories of these extraordinary yet ordinary women who have changed the world, I have come to understand better the roles that social work plays in fighting injustice worldwide. Before I read the book, I was aware of many of the battlegrounds, but I was less aware of the battles that have been orchestrated, led, and won by women social workers on the social justice battlefield. Thus, as I teach my classes, I will be able to lift a new generation of contemporary women who have made important contributions to a myriad of lives. The book provided me with new shoulders to have my students stand upon. This is important because today’s students need to hear not only about the historical legacy of the profession but of the opportunities that are waiting for them to claim as their unique legacy. Also, the book can be used as a how-to manual to stimulate students to profile social work champions in their midst.
In the book’s introduction, Lieberman states, “The stories in this book are ultimately about hope, for a more just world and for the potential of the social work profession to make an important contribution to the world” (p. ix). I say mission accomplished!